Flotation oil



Patented Oct. 23, 1928.. 4

UNITED BUYER LU AGE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

H'LOTATION OIL,

Io Drawing.

This invention relates to the concentration of ores by froth flotation and more particularly relates to a compound flotation oil for carrying out this process. In such a process the pulverized ore is ordinarily mixed with a considerable quantity of water and while this mixture is being agitated and subjected toaeration, a frothing agent consisting of any suitable flotation oil is added. As a result of this aeration and agitation in the presence of the flotation oil a voluminous froth is formed upon the surface of the ore mixture which froth carries the main part of themetal containing mineral and leaves behind the main portion of the gangue. t

I have discovered that a heavy petroleum residuum has exceptional selecting properties in a flotation oil when properly diluted or thinned and combined with a strong frothing agent. As a diluent for the petroleum residuum I may employ a cheap .material, such as a light petroleum distillate or any other suitable thinner. Special care must be exercised in the selection of a frother to produce good results and to combine properly with the residuum. Although I may use various materials having recognized frothing properties, I have discovered that it is very desirable when using the frother in combination with a heavy residuum to employ a substantial proportion of an emulsifying agent such as soft soap. Any other water soluble soap may be employed but owing to the cheapness and general efficiency of soft soap, its use is preferred. I have found that by the use of an emulsifying agent the amount of frother which it is necessary to employ, when using a heavy petroleum residuum as the base for the finished flotation oil. may be greatly. decreased, thus substantially lowering the cost of the compounded oil. As frothing agents, 1 have found cottonseed foots to be especially valuable but I prefer to use at the same time portions ofpine creosote and a sulphonated vegetable oil such as Turkey red, oil or sulphonated corn oil.

The proportions of the above constituents Application filed March 23,1925. Serial no. 17,835.

may be varied over a considerable range as shown fOIf lllStilIlCG 1n the following formula.

. Per cent.

Petroleum residuum to 70 Petroleum distillate (diluent) 10 to 15 Frother 20 to 45 The frother may consist of:

Per cent.

Pine creosote 30 to 50 Turkey red oil 10 to 25 Cottonseed foots 10 to 50 Soft soap l 20 to 50 As a specific formula representing the best proportions of the above substances the folloiiving has been found to give excellent resu ts.

Per cent.

Petroleum residuum 52 Petroleum distillate (diluent) s 13 Frother 35 The frother may consist of: i

Per cent.

Turkey red oil 15 Cottonseed foots 15 Pine creosote 45 Soft soap 25 An oil compounded in accordance with my invention has been found to be capable of being stored for an indefinite period without separation of the mixture into its constituents. This flotation oil has proven to give excellent results with all those minerals for which flotation is commonly employed as a means for concentration, but the oil is particularly eflective in the recovery of the oxidized portions 'frother containing cotton-seed foots, pine creosote, and a $0.13).

2. Anoil for the otation of minerals which comprises, 50 to 70% of a heavy petroleum re- 6 siduum, 10 to 15% of a petroleum diluent for thinning the residuum, and 10 to 30% ofa frother containing a substantialproportion of soap.

3. An oil for the flotation of minerals which 7 comprisesfabout 50% of a heavy residuum resulting from the distillation of petroleum,

a diluent therefor, and a frother containing a substantial proportion of an emulsifying agent. 1 g y 4. An oil for the flotation of minerals which 15 comprises, at least 50% of a heavy residuum resulting from theldistillation of petroleum, a diluent therefor, and a frother containing a substantial proportion of a soap.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 20 hand this 17th day of March, 1925.

ROYER LUCKENBAGH. 

